As we have discussed, the practice of divining from bird calls, properly called auspicy in the English language, appears to actually originate in China. Yet, as narrowly concerned with crows, it would seem the practice is an Indo-Tibetan invention with symbiotic relationship to Chinese methods.

The tradition talked about the most comes to Tibet from India. The first written record is found in the middle sixth century, in the Brihat Samhita by Varahamihira. In the early ninth century we find a Sanskrit text entitled Kakajarita translated by the pandit Danacila into the Tibetan language as Bya-rog-gi skad brtag-par bya-ba, or “Investigating the Cries of Crows.” Through incorporation of this translation into the Tibetan Tanjur, or Buddhist canon, crow auspicy became an established means of divination in Tibet.

Underlying Principles of Crow Augury

Divination through observation of crows in Tibetan tradition is founded on the following principles:

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1. Crows are of varying distinction and intelligence, therefore notice must be taken of the varying classes of crows.

2. Crows respond to events with characteristic behavioral patterns, therefore by noting the character of the response one may learn the character of the event.

3. Crow behavior and response differs according to time of day.

4. The angle of direction between the observer and the crow has significance.

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The general predictions governing crow calls are given as follows, categorized by the time of day and the direction in which the call is observed.